We watched a different match
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We must have, because Francis had zero presence inside 50 whatsoever. Yes, he took some marks up around the wings, but Iām more concerned about whatās happening inside F50, and based on yesterday we will struggle badly if what we saw from 2MP and Francis is regular. As I posted in the Francis thread, I think he can be a decent high HF as that connector between the arcs. But in terms of a viable F50 target and avenue to goal, he is a long way short of the mark. Baldwin is at least a natural forward and shown an ability to take a mark inside 50, and bare minimum give us an earnest contest that we can work off. Francis didnāt do that at allā¦
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Im waiting to see how they perform in the next preseason match,
If stinger doesnt play round 1, Iām playing both of them. - Francis HFF and also rotate through defence if required.
Francis would at least make the team as sub if Stringer available.
I think judging Francis by the quality of his lead and marking at Tullamarine, in February, is a very different environment to playing at Docklands and even the G.
The dogs ball movement and free flowing marking by their fwds was limitedā¦ā¦ and they have incredible ball movement, maybe the best in the AFL.
Also, his second efforts were strong. The idea he offered nothing when the ball hit the ground is just confirmation bias of people who have given up on him and are more interested in the new shiny toys.
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There were a lot of guys who were scratchy and underdone yesterday, and hadnāt played much footy over the last few years.
But this guy played, what, two VFL scratch-matches late last year, which was his first competitive games in 2 and half years? Which was Under 16ās.
And heās coming back from 2 knee recos, and heās a key forward who usually take some time to develop anyway.
Personally, Iām surprised he could even be somewhat competitive in that game yesterday. I think thereās a fair bit to work with here.
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Totally agree.
But your point also makes some peoples view that he should play round 1 ahead of Francis absolutely fanciful.
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Heās clearly not gonna be ready to play senior footy round 1.
But I think heāll make ground on Francis very, very quickly.
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Not attacking the bloke but Francis has seriously done very very little in his career.
He barely ever kicks goals and had about as many touches as Baldwin did yesterday in 3 extra quarters.
What does Francis actually do? This is a guy in his 7th year.
I dont think its outrageous that we put more time into Baldwin.
Gets the ball to ground for Tex to do his thing!
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Baldwin has missed 2 years of football.
If our VFL team is competitive (unlike last year), heād be better off building skills and performance through VFL and having a 35-40 goal season.
Asking him to develop in the AFL via 7 possession games and a 10 goal season will do him no favours. He needs to learn by physically taking control of the game with ball in hand.
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He hasnāt been a consistent performer.
But he has been in the best 3 players on the ground for us in a final.
He is always picked when fit. The coaches clearly value what he brings.
Yeah, that was my initial feelings.
But after seeing him yesterday, Iām not sure heās gonna need the whole VFL season. He might be able to step up a lot quicker than initially thought.
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That would be a good result.
At 193cms he is a lead up player, same as Francis.
That game was not the game for a lead up player.
Iām also pessimistic how much fun it would be as a lead up forward in our VFL team.
My takeaway from the game was that Iād like to see him running at the footy a little more (like Franga did) and I thought Baldwin looked best on the occasions when he drifted up the ground to be the link player.
At this point, the Baldwin draft is absolute bargain basement from the promise he has shown though. For purely round 1 selection, he is ahead of Reid, Eyre and Brand who were all drafted ahead of him. Heās done well.
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JJ didnāt say which way the bull was roaringā¦ 
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I thought he was fine. Impacted contests where required, worked up the ground occasionally.
Dont have any concerns re his kicking length either, wheres that gif of him roosing a 50m goal off a couple of steps that got blitz collectively wet in the pants?
Seems a natural forward. Heaps to work with. Very excited about his prospects.
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Exactly.
He is still very raw. He still has more size to put on.
I reckon he is another 2 pre-seasons away from being the finished product.
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At least
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What about Wright? I think the discussion should be Wright vs Baldwin because Francis can play the third tall and Wright canāt. Baldwin seems the better FF option, and I feel like heās more likely to get us goals than Wright. Granted, it means Draper would have to ruck solo but thatās not really a bad thing.
My take is Baldwin is looking promising, but isnāt developed enough to match the hype. Heās got an awesome future ahead, but it will take some time.
Francis is in career best physical shape. He might succeed, he might fail. But he will get the first crack at the best 22 this year. Iām personally really excited for him, especially considering the dark place heās come from. I have a feeling that Francis could step up once he gets a bit of confidence and momentum. Fingers crossed.
Francis and Walla are being treated very very differently. Both are immense talents. Both havenāt been reaching their potential due to mental health. Walla is getting universal love, whilst many have the opposite of rose coloured glasses for Francis.
If Baldwin can stake a case over the first half of the year that he deserves the best 22 spot, then fantastic. But he aināt going to be in the round 1 side. Heās not ready and nor should he be expected to be.
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probably because Francis is fit, seemingly both mentally and physically therefore to suggest he should be adjudicated the same as walla who is seemingly neither mentally nor physically fit, is a bit odd